Richard “Minty” Peterson

Name: Richard “Minty” Peterson
First Appeared: 11th March 2002
Last Appeared: 12th February 2025
Played by: Cliff Parisi

Minty Peterson was always the guy you could count on for a bit of banter and a lot of heart. He first popped up in Walford as the tough landlord of Janine Butcher and Laura Beale. When Laura enlisted Phil Mitchell to sort Minty out over his constant rent demands, it turned out the two were old pals. Fast forward to Phil getting arrested for armed robbery, and suddenly Minty was tasked with looking after Phil’s sister, Sam. Minty, the romantic, fell head over heels for Sam, but his dreams were dashed when she married Andy Hunter despite Minty’s best efforts, including a bold proposal.

After saving Garry Hobbs from a suicide attempt, Minty moved in with him, and the two became best mates. Trouble brewed when Minty got involved with SJ Fletcher, an Aussie stripper with a con up her sleeve. Thanks to Garry’s intervention, SJ’s scheming was exposed, but not before Minty was left heartbroken. Then came Garry’s mum, Hazel, and another whirlwind romance that ended as quickly as it began with Hazel leaving, leading Minty down the aisle with Heather Trott. However, Minty’s heart wasn’t in it, and the marriage was annulled after he was caught kissing another woman.

In 2009, Minty rekindled an old flame with Manda Best, an old crush from his youth. Things got messy when Minty suspected Manda of having an affair with Phil, only to find out Phil was actually involved with Garry’s girlfriend, Dawn Swann. After a dramatic showdown, Garry sailed off into the sunset with Dawn, leaving Minty to pick up the pieces. Manda moved in with him, but their relationship crumbled when it was revealed Minty still had feelings for Sam. Manda claimed she had feelings for Phil, and just like that, another love story ended in Walford.

Minty’s antics didn’t stop there. Plans to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup final with Darren Miller went down the drain – literally – when Darren washed the tickets. Minty, ever the forgiving soul, still went to South Africa and met someone special. Back in Walford, he got entangled again with Sam Mitchell, who was pregnant and in need of a father for her baby. Minty proposed, but Sam’s rejection led him back to Heather, sharing a passionate kiss and promising her that this time, things would be different. They wouldn’t be and Minty left Albert Square, heading in Garry and Dawn’s direction.

He found Garry, Dawn-less and boat-less. But found love along the way, marrying and adopting a child. Well, adopting Garry anyway – someone has to keep him out of trouble!